Mufasa
Dark Connections Featured Member February 2007

Name: Mufasa/blklion2

Age: 40something (guessing is OK, lol)

Orientation: Dom/top/Daddie

Marital status: Partnered for 11 years

Do you currently have a sub or play partner: Yes, several bois

Occupation: Change Management Consultant/Professor/Minister

Congratulations on winning Mr. World Leather 2006 (although none of us ever doubted you would win). How does it feel to win one of the world's most prestigious leather titles?
Thanks so much for your vote of confidence. It was an honor to be selected to represent the leather community as Mr. World Leather 2006. And it feels great to be the first to represent this particular title.

Do you think African-American's are now on an even playing field when it comes to competing in, and winning, leather contests?
I believe that we as African Americans can be honored for our contributions to the leather community more now than ever before. We now have a host of African American title-holders to mentor and share experiences. Jill Carter, International Ms. Leather 1996, and owner of the Ms & Mr World Leather Organization, has been a role model of mine for years. It has taken African Americans time to find our place within the leather community and now are ready to step up and out to represent more than ever. Goddess Lakshimi, Ms World Leather 2003; Black Kat, The American Leatherman 2005; Mike Russell, International Leather Sir 2003; Dexter Edmond, International Leather Sir 2005; and Lady raven and Terrell Brown, Ms. and Mr. Olympus leather 2006; Joey Boynton and Doc Hoskins, The Leatherman of Color 2005 and 2006 are just a few of the new wave of title-holders of color.

Your winning platform was based on gay adoption, a process that you and your partner have personally experienced. How difficult was it for you to adopt children, and what tips can you offer other lifestylers who are considering adoption?
We are the proud parents of two wonderful sons. The adoption process was not difficult at all in our state of IL. The most difficult part of the process was deciding what type of adoption, public or private,and what type of child to bring into our home, namely age, sex, race and abilities. The process itself consisted of taking parenting classes and having a home study done in order to become a licensed home for foster care and adoption. The ease of the process also lies in the agency selected to adopt through. We selected a private agency that is contracted to represent wards of the state. Also, selecting an agency that has a good track record in working with gay and lesbian singles and couples is key. Our agency treated us as a couple from day one, even though one parent is the parent of record in the adoption and the partner can then file for second parent adoption through the courts. Direct conversation concerning the lifestyle never was addressed, based on society's perceived norms of what the lifestyle consists of, I think it best not to address it during the interviews. An internet resource on the laws about adoption can be found at www.lambdalegal.org and www.about.com/od/gaylesbian. I also can answer any questions or concerns one may have and can be reached at mrworldleather2006@yahoo.com. We are more prepared to raise children than we think and there are many children waiting all over the nation, especially African American children. And more African American adoptive families are definitely needed.

What are your views on same-sex marriage? Do you believe it will ever be fully legalized in America?
I am a very strong supporter of same-sex marriage. Marriage is a contracted love relationship and that can exist for same-sex couples. I'm not so hung up on what they call it, but I do want the rights that come with marriage/civil unions. I do believe that it will be fully legalized, it will take time as all civil rights movements do. My partner and I were joined in Holy Union in 1998, are registered as Domestic Partners and are looking to renew our vows within the next year.

As the founder and former president of Men of ONYX, Chicago, please tell us what the purpose and goals of your group are, and what exactly goes on during Blackout weekend. We want all the juicy details.
The first board and I started ONYX in 1995 because we did not see the issues of same gender loving men of color being addressed in the leather community on a larger scale. Now as the oldest people of color leather organization still operating, it is an organization formed and operated by Men of Color who enjoy the leather lifestyle. ONYX sets as its' goal, to provide an informational and social organization to address issues specific to men of color who chose to project the positive aspects of the leather lifestyle and support our community and economic initiatives. Support, spirituality, safety and saneness are keys to attaining our goals. All who support our goal are invited to be members of the organization. 

We now have operating local chapters in Chicago (ONYX Chicago), Atlanta (ONYX SE) and NYC (ONYX NY); forming chapters in DC (ONYX DC) and on the west coast (ONYX West); female supporting chapter (ONYXPearls SE); Full Associate brothers and supporting male and female associates worldwide. Blackout Weekend is held during the Columbus Day Holiday weekend and serves as ONYX's anniversary weekend. It is full of fellowship, learning, and play activities. It is a time for all of the members and chapters to come together and celebrate. There is an opening meet and greet and bar crawl, classes, a brunch and awards banquet, a play party and the Blackout Dance. All are invited to attend. Blackout 12 will be held in Atlanta GA, October 4-8, 2007. You can go to www.onyxmen.com for more info.

There seems to be a shortage of black male submissives in the heterosexual bdsm community. Is there also a shortage in the gay leather community, and what can we do to encourage their participation?
There is not a shortage of black male submissives in the gay leather community as I have seen in the heterosexual bdsm community. I believe that society plays a part in the lack of hetero black male subs. In the black gay male leather community, it is not seen as a sign of weakness to serve as a sub to the extent that it seems to be seen as weak in the hetero black community, since women would be the Dommes. But I do believe that behind closed doors there is a different verve going on with hetero black male subs, its just not out in the open. Bringing them out in the open is a very hard road to trod because of the history of the black male in America, traditionally being seen as weak. To many, being a strong black man in America does not translate into being gay and definitely not a sub in public. 

In 2004 you created the People Of Color Caucus AND the Mr. Leatherman of Color contest. Please give us the history behind these two events and what direction you plan to take them.
The People of Color Leather Leadership Caucus was created to provide a forum for people of color in leather to come together and address issues that were important to our community. They have traditionally been held at International Mr. Leather weekend in May and at Black BEAT in August. We have had men of color demos, discussions on racism, sexism, and protocol in the leather community, presentations by people of color leather elders and titleholders, discussions on what leather leadership is, and present a forum for people of color to present a number of issues that are pertinent to their lives culturally as people of color in the lifestyle.

The Leatherman of Color contest is held during ONYX Blackout weekend. I founded the contest to provide a community representative for the people of color leather community after the Mr. Ebony Leather contest went on hiatus and was no-longer being produced. John Tatum of Detroit held the first title in 2004, Joey Boynton of Chicago held it in 2005 and Doc Hoskins of NYC is the current 2006 Leatherman of Color. The titleholder represents the community at the International Mr. Leather contest in May in Chicago and at various community events throughout the year.

Since you've judged and competed in so many leather contests, maybe you can give our readers some pointers on how to come up with a winning platform.
The key lies in your passion. Your platform must equal your passion for what platform you are representing. My partner and I are dedicated to family and our sons and to helping others achieve their sense of family. So for me, my passion came through in my presentation of my platform. 

What exactly is leathersex? Can straight folks engage in leathersex? What's the deal?
Leathersex is basically a catch-all for sex involving fetish play. In the gay leather community, the term "leather" is used to include all forms of fetishes and fetish play. One does not have to wear leather clothing to engage in leathersex, but it is an attitude. Also in the gay leather community, leathersex play often is a prelude to regular sex acts in some form or another. So yes, straight folks can and do engage in leathersex, lol.

People probably don't realize that you are also an ordained minister with a thriving pastoral counseling practice. How would you handle having your religious beliefs questioned or challenged by somebody who disagrees with your lifestyle as a gay leatherman

My religious beliefs coincide with who I am as a person. I am a Christian who is inclusive of all God's children, just as Jesus was. I don't agree with all theologies, but know that Christ did not turn anyone away. Love, respect and relationship are key in my practice. It may not fit their idea of what a Christian is supposed to be, but that is their issue, not mine. I am called to meet people where they are on life's journey and to be the extension of Christ's radically inclusive ministry here on earth. We still can't figure out how you find time for community outreach, leather events, fundraising, organizing, counseling, and also raising a young family. What is the secret to balancing such a busy life? Integration and a loving family is key. All the parts of my life are integrated as one and are not separate components.

Life is to be lived and experienced to the fullest and my partner and family (including leather family) help me to do just that. It is important to understand who I am in myself and what gifts I have to offer to God, my family and community and my family and I give me the support and courage to be all that I am.

You've been commissioned to write the BDSM/leather version of "The Lion King". Please submit a brief overview of how your storyline would go.
It doesn't really matter what the story line is as long as I remain "King of the Jungle" and there are little Simbas all around to paddle and flog! 

Roooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

 

Contact Mufasa at blklion2@yahoo.com